How do you treat a spastic colon?

A:

Quick Answer

Treating a spastic colon involves eliminating foods high in gas and gluten from the diet and incorporating anti-diarrheal medicines and fiber supplements into the regimen, notes Mayo Clinic. Medical options range from over-the-counter products to prescriptions, and the exact pharmaceutical mix varies with the patient.

Keep Learning

Spastic colon, also known as irritable bowel syndrome, has causes that are largely unknown, which means that treatment aims at relieving symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic. Eating a bowel-friendly diet, getting enough exercise, hydrating regularly and getting at least six to eight hours of sleep a night are all vital steps. Specific dietary changes involve eliminating such foods as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and raw fruit from the diet in addition to carbonated beverages, to limit gas. Many people suffering from spastic colon have improvement when they cut gluten (rye, barley and wheat) out of their diets, although the research on that is still mixed.

Medications that fight diarrhea, such as loperamide (Imodium), are available over the counter, as stated by the Mayo Clinic. Bile acid binders, such as colesevelam, colestipol and cholestyramine, also ease diarrhea, but they can cause bloating. Fiber supplements, such as methylcellulose or psyllium, when taken with fluids, ease constipation while causing less bloating than fiber in foods. Anticholinergic and antispasmodic medicines keep bowel spasms milder but can also lead to constipation and difficulty with urination. Some people experience depression as a symptom of spastic colon, and their doctors often prescribe a tricyclic antidepressant.